@engineer212 Whenever you post specs on a Mac, you should be ready for the standard “you can buy an IBM machine for infinitely less”. While it’s true there are more options, what you can’t get elsewhere is OS and the integration to the Mac eco-system for your phone, tablet, TV, etc. That’s worth something to a great many people.
As for the machine you spec, the new MBP’s has been a big hit with my (junior yr) Engineering student. More and more apps run on IOS, and with the memory you spec’d above you can run a VM if necessary without any issue. Matlab, Ampl ide, and Tableau all run very fast on the new MBP. There are also publishing apps (ie Adobe) that many schools will provide licenses if you’re working on research / publication. While a lab is always a good option, sometimes you just want to work on something in your room, while visiting home, etc.
There are definitely ways to save money, but the new MBP with 16G of Ram running on an SSD with an I5 or I7 is a LOT of power. There are rumors that a 32G RAM version may come out in the fall…but you have to wonder if you’ll actually be needing that kind of power (and expense).
The machines are light, fast, stylish, and functional both inside of your engineering studies and for personal use.
If saving a few hundred dollars isn’t the driving factor, then buy what you want and enjoy it.